More than 170,000 opportunities to get active have been delivered across Liverpool as part of work to make physical activity easier and more accessible for residents.
Walking groups, football, cycling, tennis, cricket, inclusive sport and free activities for children and families are among the opportunities being delivered by the Liverpool Active City Network.
The city’s 10-year strategy aims to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to move more every day, while tackling the barriers that can prevent people from being active, including feeling safe, and access to quality local places and spaces, and lack of time.
During the latest year of the programme:
- 170,000+ participation opportunities were delivered
- 550+ leaders and were supported to develop their skills
- 10+ facilities and community assets were improved
- A further £217,000 of Sport England funding was secured
Community-led activity has been particularly important, with neighbourhood projects in Everton West and Princes Park including guided walks, free equipment hire, chair-based exercise and improvements to local facilities. A further £50,000 has been secured by the Council’s Physical Activity and Sport Development Team to extend this approach to two more neighbourhoods.
The city’s new Health and Wellbeing Service is also helping residents become more active, with more than 150 people already engaging with the service following referrals from 48 GP practices across Liverpool.
Alongside this, Liverpool City Council’s Lifestyles Youth Offer provides a free “Kids Go Free” junior membership for eligible young people aged 8 to 17 living in the city. More than 12,000 young people have already taken up the offer, helping them access local leisure facilities and build healthy habits for life.
There are also more opportunities to be active close to home, including parkrun events, Map a Mile routes, community cycling sessions, and activities delivered by local physical activity, sport, community and voluntary organisations.
Residents can learn more about the city’s ambitions in the Liverpool Active City 2024-2034 strategy. Organisations and community groups can also join the Liverpool Active City Network to receive updates, connect with partners and support efforts to make Liverpool the most active city in the UK.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“We want being active to be something that is part of everyday life for people across Liverpool, not something that feels out of reach.
“From walking and cycling to football, swimming and community activities, there are thousands of opportunities for residents to get moving, meet people and improve their wellbeing.
“The next step is making sure we continue to listen to residents and focus support where people face the greatest barriers to being active.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Being physically active can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing, but we know that not everyone has the same opportunities to be active.
“That is why Liverpool Active City is focused not just on providing activities, but on understanding and addressing the things that make it harder for people to move more, such as feeling safe, and access to quality local places and spaces, and lack of time.”
The next phase will focus on expanding neighbourhood-based activity, developing walking, running and wheeling opportunities, improving access to leisure and wellbeing services, and giving residents a greater role in shaping activity in their communities.
